Regional Innovation and Entrepreneurship Accelerate with New Programs in Brazil
Two new regional programs in Arapiraca and Itajaí promote innovation and entrepreneurship through community meetings and incubation cycles.
- • Arapiraca hosted historic innovation meetings fostering startup collaboration beyond Maceió.
- • Sebrae’s ALI Produtividade program supports micro and small businesses with innovation solutions.
- • Univali and Elume's Ciclun incubation program in Itajaí offers mentorship and networking for startups.
- • Ciclun applications are open until February 15, 2026, for hybrid and in-person participation.
Key details
Two significant regional initiatives are advancing Brazil's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. In Arapiraca, Alagoas, on September 29, Sebrae Alagoas organized a landmark day featuring the Innovation Ecosystem Meeting and the first Startup Meeting. These events brought together universities, businesses, startups, and public institutions to foster collaboration, focusing on sectors such as agroproduction, technology, and health. The meetings exceeded attendance expectations and will now occur monthly, enhancing networking and partnership opportunities. Sebrae analyst Geovânia Brito emphasized that these gatherings are strategic for overcoming challenges and forging partnerships, while local innovation agent Francilânia Fontes highlighted the inclusive focus on diverse participants. Additionally, the ALI Produtividade program was launched to support micro and small enterprises with innovation solutions aimed at boosting productivity, with full subsidies available and its first cycle open for applications in 2026.
Simultaneously, in Itajaí, the Centro de Inovação Elume and Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (Univali) are promoting the Ciclun business incubation cycle. Open for applications until February 15, 2026, this program offers mentorship, training, and networking opportunities across four phases lasting up to two years, tailored to different business maturity levels. Eight in-person and 25 hybrid positions are available, with monthly fees of R$100 for in-person and R$50 for hybrid participants. Fábio Zabot Holthausen, Univali's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director, noted the program's role in connecting academic knowledge with the local innovation ecosystem. Activities will commence on March 10, reinforcing support for startup growth in Santa Catarina's Itajaí region.
Both initiatives illustrate Brazil's growing focus on regional innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging events and incubation programs to build dynamic and collaborative business communities.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
